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What happened to Rickenbacker?

I may be wrong, but I think Rickenbacker only makes one model of guitar or bass every year as compared to other makers that make many models simultaneously.

There is a factory tour video online that shows their production - they may dedicate part of their line to a particular model for a day or a few days out of a month, but they have multiple models of guitars and basses in varying states of building and finishing at any given time.
 
They’ve put interesting one offs for sale through their boutique , and have done quite a number of different limited runs for some dealers. And completely different basses like the 4005XC. There’s rumours the 4005 might go into production again and they’ve been publishing photos of what looks like a 4002 model. They’ve been certainly changing things up. They’ve recently changed the bridge , gone to a single truss rod , brought back the skunk stripe , stopped putting lacquer on the necks , and now are putting lacquer back on again.
And yet people say they just do the same old thing.
Now I just have a couple of older Rics , I can’t claim to be a great customer , but I do love a nice Ric. They’re quite different than anything else.
Not everyone gets that.
 
I have been considering buying a Rickenbacker for some time but it is next to impossible to find anything in Europe.
I would not mind travelling to the USA to get one there but a quick online search led to nothing.

The official Rickenbacker website is not encouraging either. It looks old/dead.

What happened to Rickenbacker?
Wildwood Guitars always seems to have some in stock
https://wildwoodguitars.com/?s=Rickenbacker+
 
Their website is comically outdated but it doesn't really matter does it.
Anyway, Parkway Music in Clifton Park, NY has a couple 4003's in stock. Usually Dave's and Wildwood have some too.
 
I think the general consensus seems to be that Wildwood are the people to speak to, if you want a great Ric, at a great price (I believe they still ship internationally).

I'm seeing probably the most Ric's I've seen in stores, since the 90's second hand market.

Admittedly, most of the brand new Ric's I'm seeing here in the U.K. bricks & mortar stores, are the limited edition 4005XC, but there are 4003 & 4003S models around.

Wildwood in Arcata, CA?
 
I have been considering buying a Rickenbacker for some time but it is next to impossible to find anything in Europe.
I would not mind travelling to the USA to get one there but a quick online search led to nothing.

The official Rickenbacker website is not encouraging either. It looks old/dead.

What happened to Rickenbacker?
Sounds like they need some more guys.
 
When I decided it was time to buy a Rickenbacker, I searched for six years, and then gave up because I could not find one that sounded and played suitably. Fifteen months after I stopped looking, I visited my local music store and found they had just accepted a used 4001. I sat down and played it for what seemed like only a few minutes. An hour later (by the clock on the wall) I became aware of my surroundings once again and the bass looked up at me and said (silently, so only I could hear it) "take me home."

Sometimes it is best to wait until the "right" instrument comes along...
 
.....the bass looked up at me and said (silently, so only I could hear it) "take me home."

LOL.
My experience is similar here. I'd been looking for a Ricky here in Australia for a few years. They never came up, and if one ever did pop in 2nd hand, they'd be snapped up in hours. Eventually I saw one an ad over in Sydney for a Midnight Blue, but he was a touring bass player. He said he'd bring the bass over on tour the following week if I wanted it. Yes please! What a guy! So I met the guy during soundcheck, in which he glowed about his current P-bass. He was right, it was very very good, perhaps the nicest P I've seen. But the Ricky immediately spoke to me. Just something about the neck and natural resonance had me, before I even plugged it in.
5 minutes and decision made.
 
There are often used Rics for sale; it's just a matter of keeping an eye on eBay, Facebook, Gumtree, and so-on.
I've never bought (or wanted) a new one.
Buying one from the US would then require shipping & taxes adding to the cost.